The right choice?

I like the DA potential but not for my daughter since she wants HS and a bit of fun. I think this is the separation between the elite players (who are willing to put in 4 practices a week) and the good players (who want 2-3). I also understand and agree that they are only allowed to play other academy teams in league. I do, however, object to academy teams ONLY allowed to play this way in tournaments and showcases. Why not let the Academy, ECNL and great non-academy teams play each other at Surf and other big tournys? It should be up to the tournament to only put the best of the best in flight 1 so shouldn't matter if you're academy or ecnl or just plain good. I'm sure Academy's defense will be that they don't want to waste time playing nobodies but come on! Prove yourself to the soccer world by beating out the ECNL teams. I already know the answer to this and it's because they won't be able to for a few years until Academy really does suck in the best of the best players. There will be several ECNL teams that are better than academy teams and why not prove it in a tournament. I myself would like to play some academy teams just to gauge the level of our team but looks like that is a pipe dream. Thanks US Soccer:(
Can't Academy teams do friendlies with anyone? If so, your dreams can maybe come true with a mere phone call to a team manager.
 
Can't Academy teams do friendlies with anyone? If so, your dreams can maybe come true with a mere phone call to a team manager.

Actually not suppose to, for new teams once Aug rolls around no outside comp thing kicks in even for friendlies.

HS and other comps could be managed like ECNL does but the real problems are putting the genie back in the bottle for DA. The rules, one game a day, w/ only two consecutive days before rest, subs, etc are different for DA vs all the others as are the recommended style of play. Surf and the other tournaments have different brackets and rules; Manchester is 5 days for DA brackets (one day off after two) and only 2-3 (playoffs) days for the regular ones for example.
 
Actually not suppose to, for new teams once Aug rolls around no outside comp thing kicks in even for friendlies.

HS and other comps could be managed like ECNL does but the real problems are putting the genie back in the bottle for DA. The rules, one game a day, w/ only two consecutive days before rest, subs, etc are different for DA vs all the others as are the recommended style of play. Surf and the other tournaments have different brackets and rules; Manchester is 5 days for DA brackets (one day off after two) and only 2-3 (playoffs) days for the regular ones for example.

From the US Soccer Development Academy FAQs:

Can Academy clubs schedule 'friendly' games during the Academy season?

"Academy clubs can schedule such games to provide players with a heightened development experiences. The games must not be part of an organized competition, i.e. tournament, league or camp, as defined in the non-participation regulations and all Academy standards and guidelines must be adhered to during competition."

The other team would need to follow the rules, yes, but it does not state anywhere that they have to be an Academy team, and it appears to be an exception.
 
I like the DA potential but not for my daughter since she wants HS and a bit of fun. I think this is the separation between the elite players (who are willing to put in 4 practices a week) and the good players (who want 2-3). I also understand and agree that they are only allowed to play other academy teams in league. I do, however, object to academy teams ONLY allowed to play this way in tournaments and showcases. Why not let the Academy, ECNL and great non-academy teams play each other at Surf and other big tournys? It should be up to the tournament to only put the best of the best in flight 1 so shouldn't matter if you're academy or ecnl or just plain good. I'm sure Academy's defense will be that they don't want to waste time playing nobodies but come on! Prove yourself to the soccer world by beating out the ECNL teams. I already know the answer to this and it's because they won't be able to for a few years until Academy really does suck in the best of the best players. There will be several ECNL teams that are better than academy teams and why not prove it in a tournament. I myself would like to play some academy teams just to gauge the level of our team but looks like that is a pipe dream. Thanks US Soccer:(
Academy Teams play by FIFA Rules. ECNL and non ecnl teams do not. Academy Teams will only play in the huge tournaments under a different bracket playing by FIFA Rules. Same as the boys academy has been doing.
 
Academy Teams play by FIFA Rules. ECNL and non ecnl teams do not. Academy Teams will only play in the huge tournaments under a different bracket playing by FIFA Rules. Same as the boys academy has been doing.

If it is a true friendly game, the teams can agree to play by whatever rules they like.
 
From the US Soccer Development Academy FAQs:

Can Academy clubs schedule 'friendly' games during the Academy season?

"Academy clubs can schedule such games to provide players with a heightened development experiences. The games must not be part of an organized competition, i.e. tournament, league or camp, as defined in the non-participation regulations and all Academy standards and guidelines must be adhered to during competition."

The other team would need to follow the rules, yes, but it does not state anywhere that they have to be an Academy team, and it appears to be an exception.

Yeah friendlies happen just with other academies mostly, teams that follow the mandates which leavings most out out since they don't. Might be teams visiting or other local academics but not get any hopes up with cross league friendlies once teams are set. Can happen and teams can do whatever they want but there can be some feedback as a result from ussda, director's don't want to get that call or see that written up in the next report they receive.
 
I'm sure DA1 teams will be scrimmaging the DA2 teams within the club. That will be a plus for DA2 teams don't you think.
Wishful thinking for DA2 parents. In San Diego, there is a huge difference in level of play between Albion and LAGSD 1st and 2nd teams in age 03, 02, 01, 00. The 2nd teams haven't fared well in tournaments or Nat'l cup. Unless they get an influx of talent to fill DA2, I'm not sure if those teams will match the level of top DA teams.
 
I like the DA potential but not for my daughter since she wants HS and a bit of fun. I think this is the separation between the elite players (who are willing to put in 4 practices a week) and the good players (who want 2-3). I also understand and agree that they are only allowed to play other academy teams in league. I do, however, object to academy teams ONLY allowed to play this way in tournaments and showcases. Why not let the Academy, ECNL and great non-academy teams play each other at Surf and other big tournys? It should be up to the tournament to only put the best of the best in flight 1 so shouldn't matter if you're academy or ecnl or just plain good. I'm sure Academy's defense will be that they don't want to waste time playing nobodies but come on! Prove yourself to the soccer world by beating out the ECNL teams. I already know the answer to this and it's because they won't be able to for a few years until Academy really does suck in the best of the best players. There will be several ECNL teams that are better than academy teams and why not prove it in a tournament. I myself would like to play some academy teams just to gauge the level of our team but looks like that is a pipe dream. Thanks US Soccer:(


Same thing could have been said about ECNL versus National League in the past.
 
Academy Teams play by FIFA Rules. ECNL and non ecnl teams do not. Academy Teams will only play in the huge tournaments under a different bracket playing by FIFA Rules. Same as the boys academy has been doing.

Which set of FIFA rules? 3 subs or 6? The funny part about all of this is that the college soccer rules are not FIFA rules and all but one national team player ever has skipped playing college soccer and she might be cycled out if she doesn't perform soon.

So what are they skipping out on all of this stuff for?
 
Same thing could have been said about ECNL versus National League in the past.

Except that ECNL already had a platform and played plenty of National League teams in open tournaments. Not to mention that the second year of my player's ECNL years (U15) the "B" team of the ECNL champ won the USYS National Championship. I spoke with several parents of that team at a showcase (Eclipse Select out of Chicago) and they said that National League was a big waste of time. His player was dual rostered and he said that the amount of college scouts that attended one of his player's ECNL games was more than or equal to what they saw all week at the National Championships.

So not sure what you are comparing...
 
Except that ECNL already had a platform and played plenty of National League teams in open tournaments. Not to mention that the second year of my player's ECNL years (U15) the "B" team of the ECNL champ won the USYS National Championship. I spoke with several parents of that team at a showcase (Eclipse Select out of Chicago) and they said that National League was a big waste of time. His player was dual rostered and he said that the amount of college scouts that attended one of his player's ECNL games was more than or equal to what they saw all week at the National Championships.

So not sure what you are comparing...

What platform did ECNL have before ECNL existed?
 
Which set of FIFA rules? 3 subs or 6? The funny part about all of this is that the college soccer rules are not FIFA rules and all but one national team player ever has skipped playing college soccer and she might be cycled out if she doesn't perform soon.

So what are they skipping out on all of this stuff for?

Agree, if it's about development, who gives a rats ass about FIFA rules at this point. Let them worry about FIFA rules once they make a national team.
 
What platform did ECNL have before ECNL existed?

Great rhetorical question. Why don't you answer it for us. Since there was no national gaming circuit for girls at that time (the reason why ECNL was created) and the only path to anything remotely national was originally the U19 boys championship I guess originally there was nothing for girls. Who cares anyway they can be homemakers and marry somebody right? Just grabe 'em in the p***y they aren't boys!
 
Yeah friendlies happen just with other academies mostly, teams that follow the mandates which leavings most out out since they don't. Might be teams visiting or other local academics but not get any hopes up with cross league friendlies once teams are set. Can happen and teams can do whatever they want but there can be some feedback as a result from ussda, director's don't want to get that call or see that written up in the next report they receive.

...and the horse they rode in on.
 
Agree, if it's about development, who gives a rats ass about FIFA rules at this point. Let them worry about FIFA rules once they make a national team.
I agree that FIFA substitution rules at young ages makes no sense. At some age (not sure when) it would help development to use the FIFA rules. To better compete in the international game, it would help if college played by FIFA rules. Unlimited subs changes the game and encourages a very direct, kick it to the forwards style of play.
 
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